quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Hey Dan, Have not been around much lately but wanted to share this with you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHDfC-z9YaE

As for this scenario, I played the Allies in a full campaign with Viberpol and can say a few things.
The Japanese real power in this scen. is "front loaded." That is to say that the force against you in 1942 is really overwhelming. Japan has the supply and oil to ramp up production much faster and as I recall some nasty aircraft come on line fast and plenty. The extra four division are there at the start which creates a great imbalance vs your already overtaxed land forces. Basically, unless he makes a big boo boo (unlikely) then he is going to be really powerful til mid 1943.

As for the extra ships, the Shinano comes on as a much better Taiho class CV for some reason, and there are more DDs and PC but it is not the ships but the air power that is painful. Not the end of the world though. A good Allied player can adjust and win. And, if not careful it is very easy for the Japanese player to burn up all of his resources too fast. I think the "pilot penalty" was never removed from this scenario and it can catch the Japanese player unaware.

You know my Allies golden rule. Don't screw up and lose your carriers early and you will win the game. Have fun.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Question for the Peanut Gallery: On 12/9/41, B-17Ds from Mindanao targeted Miri's oil, scoring about 12 hits that knocked oil down by about 13 points.

Is there any reason for an Allied player to avoid or minimize these kinds of raid? Any kind of well-reasoned analysis that it shouldn't be done, because it puts too much pressure on Japan early?

I know Obvert (Erik) pursued this campaign heavily in his game with Lowpe. Erik sets an impeccable standard of sportsmanship, so I'm assuming that there's no doubt about the tactic (early targeting of industry in the DEI).

My general rule of thumb for "gaminess" is: (1) could it have been done in the real war, and (2) is there a reasonable counter? If the answer is "yes" to either, then its probably a legit tactic. I think the answer to both questions is "yes."

Contrary to the claims of one Forumite who veers into the hysterical, from time to time, I am open to discussion and input. As long as the discourse is polite and doesn't veer into Social Media namecalling or frothing.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
….
Not sure if the 50% damage comment is entirely accurate. Miri (oil and refinery) and Brunei (oil) start with everything at 50% damage. If you mean 50% of how it started then yes, that's accurate. The oil and refinery at Miri both begin at 150(150).

Thanks, Mike. Then no damage was done, because boht are 150(150).

Question for the Peanut Gallery: On 12/9/41, B-17Ds from Mindanao targeted Miri's oil, scoring about 12 hits that knocked oil down by about 13 points.

Is there any reason for an Allied player to avoid or minimize these kinds of raid? Any kind of well-reasoned analysis that it shouldn't be done, because it puts too much pressure on Japan early?

I know Obvert (Erik) pursued this campaign heavily in his game with Lowpe. Erik sets an impeccable standard of sportsmanship, so I'm assuming that there's no doubt about the tactic (early targeting of industry in the DEI).

My general rule of thumb for "gaminess" is: (1) could it have been done in the real war, and (2) is there a reasonable counter? If the answer is "yes" to either, then its probably a legit tactic. I think the answer to both questions is "yes."

Contrary to the claims of one Forumite who veers into the hysterical, from time to time, I am open to discussion and input. As long as the discourse is polite and doesn't veer into Social Media name calling or frothing.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Thanks, Gents. I'll keep reading, as long as folks chime in. We'll see if there seems to be a consensus. It's possible that all the Japanese-leaning readers have sworn off my AARs due to my "egregious" behavior in my game with Erik, so I do realize my sample may be skewed. But it doesn't hurt to ask. I think it's okay, but if the community rose up in unison to protest, I'd consider it's thoughts.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
Question for the Peanut Gallery: On 12/9/41, B-17Ds from Mindanao targeted Miri's oil, scoring about 12 hits that knocked oil down by about 13 points.

Is there any reason for an Allied player to avoid or minimize these kinds of raid? Any kind of well-reasoned analysis that it shouldn't be done, because it puts too much pressure on Japan early?

I know Obvert (Erik) pursued this campaign heavily in his game with Lowpe. Erik sets an impeccable standard of sportsmanship, so I'm assuming that there's no doubt about the tactic (early targeting of industry in the DEI).

My general rule of thumb for "gaminess" is: (1) could it have been done in the real war, and (2) is there a reasonable counter? If the answer is "yes" to either, then its probably a legit tactic. I think the answer to both questions is "yes."

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Instead of that shallow diagonal move to the south, I suggest you use a waypoint straight down the natural hex diagonal so it gets south faster, which means less likely to meet KB if it moves westward.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

She's already too damaged to fly aircraft. Not only that, I overloaded her. Oh, I did the standard quick analysis to make sure Wake's 12 Wildcats could fit...but I forgot that one American CV starts the war with five squadrons already (Vindicators are the extra). So besides her damage, Lex has too many squadrons aboard for flight ops.

In other words, I've tripped all over myself in this theater, to open the game, and I'm facing an opponent who has carefully thought through his moves and executed them flawlessly. I'm working on a House Rule to protect Allied carriers from owner-operator mistakes.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Since you can't use Lex's planes, you may want to pull off the pilots. No reason for them to die too.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Thanks, Anachro. That's helpful.

In all my games, I never ran out of pilots to draw from the trainee pool, so is TRACOM even necessary?